Jalen Green scored 36 points, including eight 3-pointers, to lead the Phoenix Suns to a 111-96 victory over the Golden State Warriors in the NBA play-in tournament on Friday night, securing the Western Conference’s final playoff seed.
The win sets up a first-round series against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, beginning Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on Prime Video. Green’s performance tied the play-in tournament record for 3-pointers made in a single game, a mark he reached with a personal 8-0 run late in the fourth quarter that pushed the Suns’ lead to 92-78.
Phoenix built an early 13-2 advantage after forcing four Warriors turnovers in the opening minutes and maintained control throughout, leading by as many as 18 points. The Suns scored 30 points off 20 Golden State turnovers, a direct result of their defensive pressure that disrupted the Warriors’ rhythm from the start.
Stephen Curry, hampered by tight defense and an off night, finished with 17 points on 4-of-16 shooting. Brandin Podziemski led Golden State with 23 points, but the Warriors could not sustain a comeback despite cutting the deficit to 85-78 with 9:30 left after a Curry 3-pointer. Phoenix responded with seven unanswered points to seal the outcome.
Devin Booker contributed 20 points for the Suns, although Jordan Goodwin added 19 points, nine rebounds and six steals, providing a defensive spark that complemented Green’s offensive explosion. Booker and Draymond Green were both assessed technical fouls late in the fourth quarter after exchanging words, resulting in their ejections.
Draymond Green fouled out with 1:06 remaining as the Warriors trailed by 16, and Steve Kerr subsequently substituted Curry out, marking a symbolic end to the trio’s final moments together on the floor. Kristaps Porziņģis played through right ankle soreness, limited to 15 minutes and 11 points after an injury suffered in Wednesday’s loss to the Clippers.
For more on this story, see NBA Live Blog: Highlights, Scores & Updates – March 30, 2026.
Earlier in the evening, the Orlando Magic defeated the Charlotte Hornets 121-90 to claim the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot. Paolo Banchero led all scorers with 25 points, five rebounds, and six assists, as all five Magic starters reached double figures. Orlando will face the Detroit Pistons in the first round.
The Hornets’ season ends with the loss, as does Golden State’s, leaving both franchises to confront critical offseason questions. For the Warriors, the aging core of Curry (38) and Draymond Green (36) faces uncertainty, especially with Jimmy Butler III’s return still pending and Porziņģis’s health a factor.
The Suns avoided becoming the first team to lose both play-in games on their home floor, a distinction that had seemed possible after blowing an 11-point fourth-quarter lead in a loss to Portland earlier in the week. Their resilience in bouncing back from that setback underscored the mental toughness required in the win-or-go-home format.
This follows our earlier report, Steph Curry and Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets TikTok Viral Highlights.
The current play-in structure, introduced in 2021, continues to produce high-stakes, single-elimination drama that rewards consistency and punishes lapses. Phoenix’s ability to hold leads and capitalize on opponent mistakes proved decisive in a night where momentum shifted rapidly.
What does this mean for the Suns’ playoff outlook?
The Suns now face a daunting challenge against the top-seeded Thunder, who enter the series as defending champions with home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. While Green’s shooting burst provides optimism, Phoenix will need sustained contributions from Booker and role players to compete against Oklahoma City’s depth and defense.
Are the Warriors likely to make major roster changes this offseason?
With Curry and Draymond Green both in their late 30s and coming off another early exit, the Warriors’ front office will likely evaluate the viability of their current core. Porziņģis’s health and Booker’s development will be central to those discussions, though no decisions have been announced.
